Two rallies add up to wild victory

The Twins overcame a three-run-deficit in the sixth and would not be denied in the end -- even by some inappropriate fan input.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 26, 2006 - 12:45 AM

CHICAGO - It was just another night at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, one with a pitcher needing a cortisone shot, three-run homers, a super-sized bat flip, piranhas chewing on Sox, bullpen showdowns, fan misbehavior, fireworks and a come-from-behind 5-4 Twins victory that put them in the A.L. wild card lead.

Whew.

"I think we saw -- I don't know how to describe it -- one hell of a baseball game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

"I think those guys showed up to kick our tails this weekend," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Twins shortstop Jason Bartlett stunned a nearly full park with a RBI single in the ninth. The hit won a game that appeared to begin on a downer when Brad Radke left after two innings because of his sore right shoulder. Radke is headed back to the Twin Cities to receive his second cortisone shot since early July.

Radke didn't comment on his trip, but he stayed to see another tenacious rally from a team with the best record in the majors (50-19) since June 8.

"It was one of the better games we played all year, beating the team we need to beat right now," Radke said. "A huge win. We've got Johan going [tonight]. Hopefully he'll throw his typical game and get a 'W.'

"Tonight was ... I don't know. I'm kind of lost for words." After pinch runner Lew Ford dashed home with the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Joe Nathan entered in the ninth to earn his 27th save -- the hard way.

With two outs and Scott Podsednik on second, Jermaine Dye came to the plate, and Nathan induced him to hit a high foul ball down the right field line.

First baseman Justin Morneau got a glove on the ball, but it was jarred loose by a fan reaching over the rail.

Umpire Andy Fletcher called fan interference.

"I think it was a good call," Guillen said.

Par for the course in this town, where Cubs fans still are looking for Steve Bartman for ruining their 2003 playoffs by interfering with a foul ball.

"A couple Bears fans came out and tackled him," Gardenhire said. "Of course they didn't make the play."

Nathan went to the area to get the ball as a souvenir. A scuffle broke out between two fans. Nathan got the ball, but a fan was taken away by security.

Before that, he and his teammates held a spirited celebration as the house lights were turned down for a fireworks show. It was the team's 15th victory in its final at-bat.

"I think it was just the way it ended," Nathan said of the celebrating. "If it would have been routine, the celebration would have been routine. I can't say enough about our bullpen ... to come in and pitch seven innings is something else."

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com